Stamp-canceling machine.



P. KBSIER. STAMP GANOELIN-G MACHINE.

APPLIouIoN FILED 111111.22, 1911.

Patented Mar.`26, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

@Home/11 F. IKl-ISTER.

STAMP CANGELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22, 1911 Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

CcLuMBlA PLANOGRAPH co., wAsHlNGro-N. u` c.

FRANKLIN KESTER, OF TWIN BROOKS, SOUTH IDAKOTA.A

STAMPLCANCELING MACHINE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Application iled March 22, 1911.

Serial No." 616,062.

' celing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides a machine designed most especially for canceling postage stamps on letters or the postal imprint on cards, but which may be used for canceling or marking small packages such as mail matter generally, the machine involving a simple construct-ion and parts which are posi.- tive and certain in operation both with respect to feeding the letters, packages, or like matter to the stamping mechanism and marking the same when fed into proper position.

The machine embodies a magazine for holding the letters, packages, postal cards, or the like in bulk, a stamp for marking the letters, a feeding mechanism for advancing theletters one at a Vt-ime from the magazine to the stamp, and means for pressing the letters or like matter into position to be fed during the operation of the machine.

The invention consists of the novel fea. tures, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, forming a part of the specification, Figure 1 is a side view of a machine embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical central longitudinal 'section thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine, parts being broken away. Fig. 4 is a rear view.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawings, by the same reference characters.

The machine embodies a base 1 anda framework 2, the latter consisting of up rights. A magazine 3 is located upon the upper portion of the framework to receive the letters, postal cards, packages or the like v to be marked or to have the postal marks thereon canceled. A delivery slot 4 is located at the lower front corner of the magazine and the letters or like matter are fed through this opening one at a time. An

ejector 5 is arranged to operate over the bottom of the vmagazine and through an opening in the lower rear corner thereof, said ejector consisting of a bar orfblade so constructed to engage the lowermost letter, card or package of the pile and causing the same to pass through the delivery opening 4. The eject-or is pivotally connected at its outer end to a lever 6, which is pivoted to the base at 7. The lower end of the lever '6 is connected by means of a Vpitman 8 with the wrist pin of a crank wheel 9 secured to a horizontal shaft 10 .mounted upon the base and adapted to have power applied thereto. A follower 11 is arranged to operate in said magazine and is placed upon the top of the pile of letters, cards or like matter arranged in the magazine. In the event of the weight of the follower being deemed insuiiicient to advance the letters yieldable connections 12 may be employed, the same preferably consisting of rubber bands.

A table 13 projects forwardly from the framework so that its upper side is about in the plane of the delivery opening 4 to receive the letters as they are fed through said opening. Rollers 14 and 15 are located at opposite ends of the table 13 and support an "endless belt or apron 16. The endless belt 16 receives the letters as theypass through the delivery opening 4 andl carries them to a point to receive the mark or impression of the stalnp. A belt pulley 17 is attached'to the shaft or journal of the roller 14 and is rotated from the drive shaft 10 by means of a belt 18, which passes around said pulley 17 and aV pulley '19 fastened to the shaft 10. The stamp is located above the table 13 and comprises a head 20 and a stem 21, both being hollow and adapted to receive an absorbent material, such as cotton waste, wick or other fibrous material. A reservoir 22 is connected with the opening formed in the stem 21 and is adapted to contain the ink which supplies the stamp. f A valve a is located in the length of the pipe connecting the reservoir 22 with the stem 21 so that the flow of the ink may be regulated or cut olf when the machine is not in operation.

The stamp has a reciprocating, movement imparted thereto and is connected by means of its stem to a lever 23, which is pivoted to a standard 24 attached to the framework. A rod 25 connects the rear end of the lever 23 with the pitman 8 so as to impart a vi-V Patented Mar. 26, 1912. j

bratory movement to the lever 23, whereby the stamp 2O is moved up and down. A guide 26 projecting vertically from the framework is slotted to receive the front portion of the lever 23 and direct the same in its movements.

In the operation of the machine the reservoir 22 is supplied with ink and the letters, cards, or like matter to be marked or canceled are placed in a pile in the magazine 8, after which the follower 11 is positioned upon the pile. Upon opening the valve to regulate'the flow of ink from the reservoir to the tank the shaft 10 is set in motion either by hand or by suitable motive power. This causes the lever 23 to vibrate, the ejector 5 to reciprocate Jforward and backward and the endless apron 16 to rotate. Upon the forward movement of the ejector 5 the letter or card at the bottom of the pile is pressed therefrom through the delivery opening t and is received upon the endless apron 16 and carried thereby. to a position beneath the stamp, the latter descending and marking or canceling the letter or matter and the endless apron continuing to rotate discharging the letter from the machine. The parts are so timed that the ejector 5 is moved forward when the stamp is elevated from the table, said stamp descending when the letter reaches a position upon the table to properly receive the impression.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construct-ion and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as ing said lever with the crank of the power v driven shaft, a lever having said stamp connected thereto, and a rod between the stamp carrying lever and the said pitman to impart a vibratory movement to said lever whereby the stamp is caused to reciprocate vertically.

2. In a machine of the character described and in combination with a magazine to receive a pile of letters, cards or like matter and a stamp for marking said letters mounted to reciprocate vertically, a power driven shaft having a crank, an ejector arranged to reciprocate across the magazine to deliver the letters therefrom one at a time, a lever mounted near one end and having its opposite end connected with said ejector by means of a pin and slot, a pitman connect-- ing the short arm of said lever with the crank of the power driven shaft, a second lever pivoted near one end and having its opposite end connected with the said stamp, and a rod connecting the short arm of said second lever with the said pitman.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANKLIN KESTER. Witnesses:

J. WV. SCHULTZ, ENOCH LINDQUIsT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

